Chapter 569 - 165 Deception Unveiled

Chapter 569: Chapter 165 Deception Unveiled

Daniel’s POV

The defeat etched across my face spoke volumes as we returned to Beckett’s private estate. Lila remained missing. I slumped into the leather armchair in his study, my body weighed down by exhaustion and the crushing fear that time was running out. Dark thoughts spiraled through my mind – I had to find her before Claire and Connor’s twisted scheme reached its conclusion.

"What happened, Daniel?" Nathaniel settled beside me, genuine concern marking his weathered features. Even in his advanced years, the former head of the Sullivan family still commanded respect in these circles.

"She wasn’t at the warehouse," I replied, my voice hollow with disappointment. "But I know she was there. The evidence of recent activity... they must have moved her moments before we arrived."

Ezekiel nodded grimly as he took his seat. The veteran detective had been invaluable in navigating the delicate balance between official police work and family business. "That’s exactly what I suspect occurred. The detective approached my surveillance officer stationed outside Claire’s penthouse and brought him to headquarters. He identified himself and demanded to know why we were watching a prominent Sullivan family member."

The pieces clicked together in my mind like bullets sliding into a chamber. "That’s how she slipped away undetected. With our surveillance compromised, Claire could move freely without triggering our alerts."

"Precisely," Ezekiel confirmed, self-recrimination clear in his voice. "I’ve already reassigned that officer back to traffic duty. He’s green, inexperienced. My mistake bringing him into a family operation. Despite explicit instructions about discretion, he thought there would be no harm in cooperating with a fellow detective."

Ezekiel’s guilt was written across his features. "That’s why that detective showed up at the warehouse during our raid – he was accompanying my officer. I’m certain he tipped off Connor through official channels."

"Ezekiel, this isn’t your fault," I said, though my scattered thoughts made offering real comfort impossible. "But now they know we’re closing in. What’s our next move?"

"We keep searching every lead, but you need some rest," Ezekiel suggested with the concern of someone who’d seen too many good men burn out.

"Rest isn’t an option until she’s safe," I insisted, burying my face in my hands. The weight of responsibility – both as her lover and as a Martinez family member – pressed down on me. Suddenly, a thought struck me. "Beckett, why wasn’t that warehouse among Connor’s properties you investigated?"

"Most likely because it’s not registered under his name," Beckett replied thoughtfully, his sharp mind already working the angles. As the Sullivan family’s current head, he understood the importance of hidden assets. "Interestingly, I don’t know who officially owns that facility. It’s been abandoned for years, perfect for off-the-books operations."

"Can you trace the real owner?" I asked, a spark of hope igniting in my chest.

"One phone call to the right people," Beckett assured me, already reaching for his encrypted device. We fell into tense silence as he made his inquiry, each of us knowing that in our world, information was power, and power could mean the difference between life and death.

After completing his call, Beckett looked up with new intelligence gleaming in his eyes. "The property belongs to Connor’s son – inherited from his late mother’s estate. There’s another property as well, a small house also part of the inheritance. It’s located in the valley, on the route to Twin Rock Cave. Remote location, isolated community. Perfect for keeping someone hidden."

"I’m familiar with that area," Gideon said decisively. The Thorne family’s security chief had proven invaluable in our search efforts. "I’ll conduct reconnaissance immediately. If I discover anything suspicious, you’ll know soon. Daniel, you should get some rest while we investigate. Bella, you’re with me?"

Bella agreed readily, and they departed together. Their growing partnership pleased me, especially since I’d promised Gideon a position within my own organization once this nightmare ended.

"What else can we do while we wait?" I asked Ezekiel, desperation seeping into my voice despite my efforts to maintain control.

"For now, we maintain surveillance on all known locations. Both Claire and Connor are being watched around the clock by teams that understand the gravity of crossing a Martinez operation."

I turned back to Beckett. "Could Claire own properties you might have missed in your initial investigation?"

"I was thorough in checking her registered assets," he assured me with the confidence of someone accustomed to dealing in shadows and secrets.

"Wait," Nathaniel interjected, his expression shifting as old memories surfaced. "When Claire claimed to be carrying my child years ago, she left the city. I made monthly visits, providing financial support and checking on her supposed condition."

"Was that house hers?" Beckett asked his father, clearly surprised by this revelation about family history he’d never heard.

"No, it belonged to someone Claire referred to as her godmother – an elderly woman who seemed completely devoted to her. She had no surviving family of her own. After Claire returned to the city with me, I never heard mention of this woman again. If she’s still alive, she’d be quite elderly now, but it’s worth investigating."

"That’s where I’m heading," I announced, already rising from my chair with renewed purpose.

"I’ll accompany you," Nathaniel insisted firmly. "I can guide you there, and I remember the neighborhood layout." Inspector Ezekiel joined our expedition, understanding that in cases like these, official procedures often had to bend to family necessities.

The drive took several hours, winding through neighborhoods that existed on the margins of our organization’s territory. We arrived at a community where children played in streets watched over by residents who understood the value of minding their own business. Nathaniel directed us to our destination – a modest house near the street’s end where a young woman lounged against an open window.

"Excuse me," I called out, approaching with the confident bearing that came naturally to someone in my position. "We’re looking for information about a woman who lived here many years ago."

"That would be my aunt. She passed away some years back," the woman replied, then her expression hardened with suspicion. "Why are you asking? Don’t tell me that snake goddaughter of hers sent you to make some claim on our family property?"

"Who are you referring to?" I asked, genuinely confused by her immediate hostility.

"That worthless manipulator Claire. When my aunt died, she tried every legal trick to steal this house, but my brother’s friend connected us with a lawyer who shut down her schemes permanently. Now the house belongs to my mother, my aunt’s rightful sister."

"Actually, we hoped to discuss Claire with your aunt," I admitted. "And I completely agree – she’s nothing but trouble."

This comment earned her trust instantly. "Come inside then. I’ll get my mother." She ushered us into a small but comfortable living room and soon returned with an elderly woman who moved slowly but with dignity.

"Mom, these gentlemen are asking questions about Claire," she explained.

"That poisonous serpent!" the elderly woman spat with surprising venom, then her expression softened as recognition dawned while looking at Nathaniel. "I remember you, sir. You visited that lying witch when she was pretending to carry your child. She would stuff pillows under her dress to deceive you completely."

"Yes, that was me," Nathaniel confirmed with a heavy sigh that carried decades of regret.

"There was another man who visited her regularly too. She never bothered with the fake pregnancy around him or the padded clothing. She would take him directly to her bedroom. I warned my sister repeatedly about allowing such shameful behavior in her house, but she spoiled Claire terribly."

"Do you recall this other man’s name?" Nathaniel asked with growing urgency.

"Everyone in the neighborhood knew him – Connor. There was also a private nurse who helped Claire maintain her deception. They conspired together to obtain an infant that Claire would present as yours. When that nurse arrived one night with a tiny baby wrapped in blankets, I felt sick for that poor child. They actually laughed about their successful scheme."

"Do you know where that baby came from?" Nathaniel asked, his voice tight with controlled emotion.

"Sir, I know everything that happened! But I had no way to contact you to reveal the truth. I’m so grateful you’re here now to finally learn what really occurred. Sweetie, make some coffee for these gentlemen while I tell them the whole story. It’s long past time the truth came to light."

For the following period, the elderly woman detailed every aspect of Claire’s elaborate deception, finally illuminating the darkness that had shrouded our family’s past for decades.